Some local politicians suited up Saturday to join firefighters and experience a simulated day of fighting fires.

State Representative Kim Fawcett says she thought it was useful to spend a day learning more about firefighters' jobs to better understand where fire department budgets are spent. Firefighters say the simulated scenarios show politicians why so many workers are needed to ensure the safety of the public.

Fawcett was inspired by her time with the fire department and says she will forever be an advocate for firefighters.